Role of cluster frontline demonstration in enhancement of Lathyrus production var Ratan under relay cropping system with paddy rice under rainfed condition in Central Brahmaputra valley zone

Abstract

Lathyrus is considered to be an eye-catching option for sustainable food production because of its hardy nature and health profiting properties including limited water requirement and drought tolerance. The cluster frontline demonstration (CFLDs) was conducted to study the performance of Lathyrus in Sali rice (Oryza sativa L.) relay cropping situations during Rabi seasons of the year 2016-17 to 2018-19 covering an area of 30 ha comprising 6 to 9 villages in Nagaon district of Assam under Central Brahmaputra valley zone. Existing farmers’ practices were treated as control for comparison with recommended practices. The results revealed that use of high yielding variety Bio L-212 (Ratan) along with 50% of recommended fertilizer application and seed treatment with biofertilizer (Azotobacter and PSB) @ 50g per kg of seeds recorded average highest yield 7.95 q ha-1 followed by 5.89 q ha-1 in farmer’s practices. The similar trend was found in case of gross and net monetary returns, which was Rs.33973 /- and Rs.17441 /- ha-1 and for control Rs. 23479/- and Rs. 8432/- ha-1, respectively. Benefit cost ratio for demonstration and control was 2.05 and 1.55, respectively. This shows that pulses production through adoption of recommended technologies which were followed in the CFLDs can be encouraging to our farmers.